Singapore Boosts Free Wi-Fi Speed, Plans Location Services

Singapore's free Wi-Fi service, Wireless@SG, got a speed boost this week as the government agency that oversees the service outlined plans to add new features to the network, including location-based services.

On Tuesday, access speeds for Wireless@SG users were increased from 512K bps (bits per second) to 1M bps, with location-based services and secure automated login capabilities to be added to the service by January, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) said in a statement.

The three operators who manage Wireless@SG's 7,500 hotspots -- iCell Network, Singapore Telecommunications, and Qmax Communication -- are putting the location of all network access points into a database that will be made available to third-party developers working on location-based services for the network, IDA said.

Other services that are in the works include using Wireless@SG for advertising, payments and facility monitoring, the agency said, without providing specific details.

Wireless@SG began operation in 2006. The service will remain free until March 2013.

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